Re: A huff and puff and ? to those who have utilized the Tens unit

[Guest guest]

,

It's a shame you couldn't have gotten better guidance on this. The PT was

incorrect in saying that the TENS unit was only suitable for exterior pains.

I've

used my TENS unit very successfully for pancreas pain. When I first got my

unit I had researched a little bit, trying to determine where the best placement

would be for the electrodes. I also discussed their location with my

chiropractor, since he uses electrodes on my back to treat both my muscular

and pancreatic pain after each realignment. By trial and error, I found that it

worked most effectively for me if I placed the electrodes at certain locations

on

my back.

Much of my pancreas pain is mid and left sided, and radiates through to the

back into the left shoulder blade area. My desire to relieve this back

shoulder

pain, as much as the pancreas pain, dictated where I placed the electrodes. I

put two electrodes on each side of the left shoulder, one up where the

shoulder connects to the arm, and the other further down in the curvature of

the shoulder blade near the center of my spine. The other two electrodes

were placed beneath the back bra line, one almost at the spine, and the other

lower, about midway between the spine and the side of the body. I found that

the most effective setting was a deep, slow pulsing, set about mid-speed.

I had read that it could be harmful to use the electrodes on the abdomen itself.

I'm sorry that I don't remember where I read this, but I do know that my

chiropracter did not recommend using them on the abdomen. He told me that

there was a bundle of nerves located in the back that would be most effected

by the electrodes, thus providing relief. And as you probably know, the

pancreas is located closer to the back of our body than the front, being behind

the stomach. If you can locate the electrodes near these nerve receptors, the

relief is fantastic.

You may find that a different location works better for you, but I personally

found the locations I've mentioned above as being the most effective for my

pain. I would use the TENS unit for an hour or two and find nearly complete

relief from that stabbing pain. Fortunately, since my pancreas burn-out, I

haven't had that type or intensity of pain ever again, so I haven't had need for

the unit. I've found that my heating pad accomplishes enough relief for what

ails me now.

I hope these locations are as successful for you as they were for me. The

TENS unit can really be a life saver, and does so much to restore your

mobility. Good luck with it.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina Rep.

SE Regional Rep., PAI

Note: All comments or advice is based on personal experience or opinion,

and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional.

> My pain doc recently prescribed the TENS unit to me on a trial basis. (snip) I

am sitting here with this unit and have no idea how to properly use it for CP.

I

know how to stick the electrodes and the different dials on the machine, but

that is it. Can any of you give me more guidance?